2020 BMW X4 — MOT failures & pass rate
6,301 MOT tests on the 2020 BMW X4 are in this dataset, and 91.2% of them passed. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (8.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 5.4% of tests against 2.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 153 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 X4 fails 8.2% of the time in the 0-30k band and 10.0% at 90-120k, a spread of only 1.8 points.
The petrol cars hold up better: 7.8% fail against 9.3% for diesel, a 1.6-point gap across 6,301 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 1.1% of tests failed in 2022 against 9.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.4% | 343 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.1% | 132 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 110 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.3% | 80 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.6% | 40 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.3% | 21 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 153 |
| 2 | Wipers | 103 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 102 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 72 |
| 5 | Washers | 45 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 38 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.7% | 1,240 |
| 2 | Other defects | 6.1% | 386 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.8% | 304 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.2% | 203 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 58 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 30 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 2,665 | 8.2% |
| 30-60k | 3,060 | 9.1% |
| 60-90k | 518 | 10.4% |
| 90-120k | 50 | 10.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,366 | 9.3% |
| Petrol | 1,935 | 7.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 91 | 1.1% |
| 2023 | 2,132 | 9.6% |
| 2024 | 2,032 | 8.2% |
| 2025 | 2,045 | 9.0% |
What to check before buying a 2020 X4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.4% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.4% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (2.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (1.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2020 BMW X4s pass their MOT?
91.2% of the 6,301 2020 BMW X4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 BMW X4?
Tyres, recorded in 5.4% of tests, followed by visibility (2.1%).
Does the 2020 X4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 0-30k band to 10.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,301 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.